Introducing hsbDesign 26 for Revit® and AutoCAD®

The construction industry is changing fast, and we’re committed to partnering with you to stay at the forefront of industry shifts, overcome pain points, and get closer to a fully realized BIM vision. Our goal is to take your design, manufacturing, and assembly experience to the next level.

Building on our legacy of ground-breaking solutions, we’re pleased to introduce our latest hsbDesign release: hsbDesign 26. Let's get acquainted if you're unfamiliar with our hsbDesign platform.

hsbDesign was developed to provide more flexibility, detail, and precision within Revit® and AutoCAD®. It's the foundational platform upon which we've created a range of dynamic toolsets that eliminate redundancies associated with 2D and 3D designs. Here are a few of the hsbDesign features our customers can't get enough of:

  • It establishes a single source of truth, enhancing collaboration and reducing errors.
  • It simplifies communication, facilitating budget and schedule adherence.
  • It automates processes, allowing you to concentrate on the core: your designs.
  • It offers infinite customization, providing you with enhanced design flexibility.

hsbDesign also encapsulates the updates tied to all our design toolsets, augmenting and expanding their capabilities. This results in a new degree of clarity, detail, and engagement in your designs.

Now that you're more familiar with hsbDesign, let's dive into the upgrades in its latest release, hsbDesign 26.

What's New in hsbDesign 26?

Building on the success of hsbDesign 25, hsbDesign 26 offers enhanced performance, new features, and updates designed to elevate your design experience within both Revit® and AutoCAD®. Let’s look closer at the upgrades in hsbDesign 26 for Revit®, followed by hsbDesign 26 for AutoCAD®.

hsbDesign 26 for Revit®

hsbDesign 26 for Revit® features a customizable Bill of Materials, support for Revit® 2024, seamless sheet splitting and joining, enhanced design control, and improved version control for families. We’ve also introduced a new shop drawing UI that enables you to build custom templates with ease and add dimensions and tags to your views for ultimate flexibility.


General Improvements

We’ve introduced a new Revit Family Version Control feature that lets you detect if any family has been improved and needs to be updated in a project. It checks all the existing families in a document when it’s opened and reports them in a dialogue, with an option to easily reload from distributed files with a single click of a button. Check out the video tutorial below to see it the process first hand.

In addition:

  • Beams can now be cut using the profile of other profiled beams using the "Apply Notching" command. 

  • The Split Opening feature has been expanded to apply to any family-type opening, including doors or windows.
  • We've enhanced the placement of the Center of Gravity family, enabling its accurate positioning within a CLT Panel during application.
  • The hsbConsole has been upgraded to store all CLT tools used in the model.
  • The Align to Edge feature now allows the selection of multiple panels simultaneously to orient grain direction.
  • We now support the framing and copying of grouped elements, bolstering operational flexibility.
  • Sheets with an angled connection can now be joined.
  • A new Multiple Boxcut tool enables you to cut multiple objects at once.

  • Connections within the model now have a disabled function. In these cases, the system will default to using edge detail.
  • Item containers can now be locked for added security, preventing accidental removal or regeneration. To modify it, you will need to unlock the item container manually.

  • Clash detection now integrates electrical fixtures to adjust the frame as needed.
  • An item container can now be framed, even if part of a model group.
  • The system now includes automatic issue resolution in validations, similar to the feature in hsbDesign for AutoCAD Architecture.
  • You can now split multiple roofs using multiple model lines, enhancing design flexibility.
  • The hsbConsole has been upgraded, and can now use Revit filters.
  • A new tool has been added specifically for lifting roofs.

  • Blocking can now be placed quickly using point selection.
  • A new "hsbcad Blocking Stagger Option" parameter enables you to create staggered blocking patterns.

  • Extra parameters from the item container are now usable with the sheet tag tool. Panel dimensions - length, width, and height - have been added for display in shop drawings.

  • "Join Sheet" and "Join Beam" are new commands in the Ribbon for quick and easy sheet or beam joining.
  • You can now view the matched framing style in the properties of a wall, roof, or floor.

  • The software now supports curtain elements, like curtain walls, and can automatically frame openings with the "Match Opening" action.
  • A new "Split" command is now available for sheets.
  • The system can now automatically cut void extrusions in families that touch structural framing families.
  • With the new T-connection, you can create a connection between two beams and add a milling inside the female beam.

Lastly, a new "hsbcad dimensions openings" tool gives you more control over your dimensions’ start and endpoints. This can be done via two parameters: "hsbcad Reference Extreme End" and "hsbcad Reference Opening Extreme”.

New export features

With the new hsbSettings feature, users can specify the export of voids for various electrical fixtures. Previously, only families in the 'Electrical Fixtures' category could be exported. However, with hsbDesign 26, this capability has been extended to include lighting fixtures and fire devices. You can now configure these fixtures to export voids as extrusions, providing more flexibility and control over your design outputs.

In addition:

  • A new export to Excel feature enables users to create reports and Bill of Materials (BOM) for hsbcad Objects, elements, and item containers in just a few clicks. 
  • Curved beams are now supported and can be exported to machine files as BTL.

Framing styles editor upgrades

hsbDesign 26 let’s you change the span direction of your joists with ease, using the Framing Styles Editor to customize the alignment of the structural layer (Zone 0) to fit your needs.

  • You can now assign added items to a specific zone using the Detail Editor.
  • The Framing Styles Editor now allows the addition of drill tools.
  • Your inventory items list will now be automatically organized in alphabetical order.
  • All inventory items will have the default sheet and beam assigned when newly created.
  • You can now override all edge details of an opening in one go.
  • Selecting an edge or connection detail shows a ribbon shortcut, taking you directly from the model to the Framing Styles Editor.
  • Linked files can now be used to generate item containers.
  • The system now supports various measurement units, including cm, m, feet, and inches.
  • You can now create insulation as a separate layer.

For more details on the updates above, visit hsbDesign26 for Revit®.

hsbDesign 26 for AutoCAD®

hsbDesign 26 unlocks a plethora of new functionalities for AutoCAD® Architecture 2024, a revamped IFC importer for flawless imports, and an enhanced classification tool, Painter, for streamlined workflows and optimized designs. Let’s take a closer look at each of the new upgrades.

A new IFC Import Manager 

hsbDesign 26 features a new, more intuitive IFC Import Manager that makes categorising and converting items a breeze, giving you a seamless import experience from any software platform. The upgrade let’s you categorise items during import, including extensions and validations, with the help of our viewer. Check out the video below to see how it works in practice.

For more details, about how to use the new IFC Import Manager, visit hsbacademy.

General improvements

The calculation of solid-dependent data (e.g., tool analysis, bounding boxes, real lengths, etc.) has been significantly improved and optimized. This results in noticeable performance boosts, particularly in more complex parts involving multiple drills, and affects various software operations, including export, shop drawing generation, and tool application.

In addition:

  • You can now add the Kamatsugi tool to non-parallel beams for enhanced flexibility.
  • When placing a beam, you can specify its type, boosting customization.
  • Sheets can now also be created from circles, expanding design possibilities.
  • AutoCAD Multilines are now exportable and accessible as entities in Excel exports.
  • Using the HSB_BEAMNEW command, plugin TSLs are saved in the "LastInserted" catalog for automatic inclusion in future command calls.
  • You can now manage metal part collection definitions and truss collection definitions directly from the style manager.
  • Formatting can now be applied to tools in exports.

Lastly, entity SubMapX data is now viewable from the ACA Properties Palette, providing enhanced data transparency.

IFC import upgrades

  • The "Convert Item to Hsb Object" extension can now tidy up wall corners for Element Walls during import.
  • The "Convert Item to Hsb Object" extension now includes a "Wall justification" option during wall import.
  • Custom property sets from IFC files are now directly imported as property sets in ACA.

  • The IFC properties "IsExternal" and "LoadBearing" can now be added directly to timber stick-frame walls during import.
  • The IFC Import has been improved to assign elements to groups in the hsbConsole.
  • An IFC import progress bar has been added to the hsbShare console, allowing you to track ongoing actions. Additionally, the IFC import performance speed to hsbDesign has been enhanced.
  • The PropertyMapper Extension now shows mapping fields during IFC Import for CLT Import Sets.
  • When importing an IFC model, the Layer field information from the IFC is now available for mapping to a property.

Exporter improvements

  • The Kamatsugi tool can now be conveniently exported to BVX2.

  • Export capabilities have been expanded to include BTLx, covering both V1.1 and V2.0, with basic export functionalities and toolings that are now available.
  • With the hsbExporter, reports are only created when entities (e.g., beams, sheets, elements) are present, eliminating the generation of empty reports.
  • hsbZones can now be seen in our IFC export, enhancing visibility.
  • Our software is now compatible with Randek CDT version 5.
  • Non-element walls, curtain walls, and ACA spaces can now be exported to IFC, broadening the scope of our export options.
  • Our IFC export now supports different IFCTypes; for instance, Beams can be exported as IFCColumns.

Bomlink upgrades

In BomLink, you can now access the dynamic block attributes of BlockItems and BlockReferences through the DynamicProperty(PropertyName, DefaultValue) function. This function has two arguments. The first argument identifies the property name, while the second provides a default value, which will be used if the specified property isn't found. This update offers greater accessibility and reliability when working with dynamic block attributes.

In addition:

  • The BomLink Excel output now supports grouping within a worksheet using a Property Group Format to define the grouping criteria.
  • Now in Bomlink, Excel can be used as an inventory source.
  • An entity is now a selectable type in BomLink.

Improved validations and extensions

Users now have the flexibility to set the severity level of validation results. For each validation conducted, results can be flagged as “Errors,” “Warnings,” or just information based on their significance. This streamlined approach is intended to provide clearer results and make critical issues more noticeable.

  • A new validation, "ModuleGeometryCheck," has been introduced to detect overlapping modules and ensure all module beams are interconnected.
  • The “Tag Sheets with Element Tools” extension now also has the option to include milling and saw lines.
  • A new “Remove plates and stretch studs” extension has been added to the Weinmann CNC link, where packing is placed at the bottom of an opening.

hsbPainter upgrades

Painter definitions can now be imported and exported to an external file, which by default is saved in a newly created “Painter” folder in the Company directory. 

In addition:

  • The custom textbox of the GroupBy dialogue in Painter is now extended with an auto-complete and a function providing a dialogue to explain things.
  • hsbPainter now supports tool entities like trusses, metalPartCollectionEntities, and fastener assemblies.
  • 3D solids can be used as an item in the hsbPainter.
  • The filtering functionality has been improved. Also, there is now the possibility to edit existing filters.
  • hsbPainter now supports SurfaceQualityBottomStyle and SurfaceQualityTopStyle to specify definitions referring to the surface quality styles of a panel.
  • hsbPainter now supports SurfaceQualityBottomStyle and SurfaceQualityTopStyle to specify definitions referring to the surface quality styles of a panel.

  • Painter now supports “ExtrProfName” to specify definitions that refer to the extrusion profile name of a beam.
  • Duplicate names are not possible anymore for painter definitions.

TSL-Werkzeug Upgrades

The DimLine TSL can now dimension independent TSLs in a shop drawing, including elements like drills or shigapicks. Additionally, the dimension can be aligned according to the desired edge.

Another new feature is that the hsbCenterOfGravity TSL can now consider attached TSLs that possess additional MapX data. This extra data is added to the weight of the element. And depending on it, the center of gravity of the component will change.

In addition:

  • The hsbCenterOfGravity TSL is expanded to give more accurate weight for composite beams.
  • The painter can now be used to filter within the hsbCenterOfGravity TSL.
  • The sd_EntitySymbolDisplay now scales according to a specified text height and no longer requires the “allow override” flag. 
  • Additionally, background coloring has been enhanced, with a true white color (255,255,254) used if the background color is set to 7.
  • Dimline provides a property to scale to other units than the dwg unit.
  • hsbCLT-TongueGroove solid visualization improved.
  • The TSL “TSL_jackRafterHousing” now has new properties to set a tolerance in width and height to reflect potential shrinkage.
  • The "CLT-Freeprofile" tool in content DACH has been replaced with an enhanced version called "Freeprofile." This updated tool now offers extended functionality, supporting both CLT and beams, providing users with more versatile design options.
  • The Dimline now includes a context command to remove unnecessary dimlines easily.
  • hsbViewHatching TSL now allows backspace-defined creation on multiple pages.
  • DrillDistribution now supports conical drills and slotted holes.
  • instaConduit provides new alignment options and allows dragging onto the combination in addition to cell nodes.
  • The length of the "FreeProfile" tool can now be retrieved using the format "@(Freeprofile Length)."

  • With the new hsbCLT-OpeningBatchCreator TSL, assigning multiple tools to an opening is now possible.
  • The SplitBeamByType TSL enables the creation of a beam type list with defined priorities for beam interactions, allowing the automatic splitting of beams based on their type and intersection. It can be added as a catalog to the place beam command.

  • The new entityTagger TSL enables you to number entities and include painter definitions as a parameter for numbering.
  • hsbViewTag now supports grouping as a tag type, allowing you to tag a group of similar objects. A line will be displayed to indicate the extent of the group, with a tag placed on this line.
  • There is a new PolylineTool TSL for beams and panels.
  • hsbCLT-Masterpanel-Manager now supports the creation of empty master panels.
  • The hsb_Vent TSL has been extended to include properties for adding a stud or backing block batten around a vent.
  • The hsb_PocketPointLoad TSL now includes a property set for adding an Anchor Bracket at the base of a pocket point load truss assembly, with options for specifying the angle bracket location (Left, Right, Both).
  • The hsb_CreateMulitpleStuds TSL will remain in the drawing, allowing multiple studs to be kept when walls are generated numerous times without rerunning the TSL.
  • hsbCLT-MasterPanelManager TSL now includes new format properties for master panels, such as the number of child panels, area, volume, and yield.
  • hsbCLT-MasterPanelManager TSL now features a new property for defining the offset between two master panels in the configuration file.

  • sd_PainterFilter now supports 3 different modes within the shop drawing framework:
  • Selection Filter: accepts only entities for shop draw creation.
  • Ruleset Filter: gets entities that match the condition within a layout override.
  • Showset Filter: defining the entities to be shown within the shop drawing.

For more information on the updates above, visit hsbDesign26 for AutoCAD®.

Try hsbDesign 26 today!

To begin your journey with hsbDesign 26 for Revit® and AutoCAD®, request your free trial and log into your Myhsbcad account to download the setup file from the download section. You can also check out hsbacademy for more details on hsbDesign for Revit® and hsbDesign for AutoCAD®.

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Autor:
Renè Strack
Business Development Manager